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A.D. Report -- Updating Ticket Sales

With the annual Spring Game coming up this weekend, Beaver Nation’s interest in our football team and its outlook for the 2010 season is on the rise. We always see increased hits on our website when the football team is active. Here in the OSU Athletic Department, football season ticket sales are high on our agenda right now.

Season ticket renewals are now completed. Compared to last year, we’ve seen our renewal rate increase from 87 percent to 92 percent. This is very encouraging—especially since we’ve already sold more season tickets at this point in the sales cycle than we did all of last year.As I’ve explained before, football season ticket sales are a key part of our revenue equation and funding for all of our 17 sports, so efforts on this front truly matter.

The newly named Valley View level has proven to be a big mover and very popular option. So far, we’ve sold 2,600 season tickets in this area (sections 211-214, rows 9 and up, and sections 224 to 227, rows 9 and up) compared to 450 total season tickets sold in the same sections last year. Approximately 2,200 of these are new season ticket sales. Clearly, these sales have been bolstered by our changes in ticket pricing.

As I announced in February, we’re lowering prices in some sections of the stadium to give more fans the chance to experience the Beavers in action and participate in the great game-day atmosphere at Reser Stadium. We want to make Beaver football accessible to as many members of Beaver Nation as possible.

We’re currently rolling out other season ticket packages and single game tickets. Last week we sent out a new Football 2010 brochure with season ticket information. If you did not receive one or need another one sent, just call 1-800-GO BEAVS or check out our new Season Ticket Central web page.

Here’s what our time line looks like moving forward this year:

May 1Season tickets on sale; preferred donation area/section available but specific seats allocated at later date.

We have a lot to look forward to next season with our team and schedule. First, we return 19 starters on both sides of the ball—the second most in the Pac-10. Our home schedule includes three bowl teams from last year—USC, Cal, and Oregon. We start the season with two likely Top 10 teams right out of the gate—TCU and Boise State---and we anticipate that our nonconference strength of schedule will rank among the Top 5 in the nation. So far, the TCU and Boise State games will be televised, and several more games will be on TV once the conference picks its broadcast matchups later this spring. You’ll be able to get your first official look at this year’s team at the annual spring game in Reser on May 1. Details for the fun-filled day and Fan Fair are on the web site.

As we look toward next season, the “I Am Orange” campaign is another familiar look you’ll see. Popular among our fan base, this year’s effort will be similar but feature different athletes as key identities for our program. We did the photo shoot with some of our players last month, and the first results rolled out in the season ticket brochure mentioned earlier in this report.

In addition to ticket sales, gifts are the other key piece of our athletic budget. In the last A.D. Report, I wrote about this year’s Beaver Athletic Scholarship Fund (BASF) campaign. I reported that early in the campaign our numbers were trending up, and I’m pleased to report that we doubled the number of new donors at this point in the year compared to last year. We’ve had many Beavers respond to our challenges to become either a “110% Beavers” by giving an extra 10 percent of their donation or a “Next Level Beaver” by raising their donation level. Approximately 25 percent of renewing donors chose to participate in one of these challenges.

Our annual BASF fund-raising drive is a key part of our effort to grow our donor base from roughly 6,000—where it’s hovered for the last several years—to 12,000. Our “Expanding Beaver Nation---12,000 Strong by 2012” campaign is well under way, and I’m pleased to report that we’ve made some progress. Many thanks to those of you who have already donated; remember the first half of your pledge is due by April 30. For those thinking about renewing a BASF donation or becoming new donors, there’s still time. Just call 1-800-GO-BEAVS or 541-737-2370or check out our websitefor more information.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the passing of a true Beaver Believer—Al Reser. As most of you know, Al was more than just major donor to this program. He was a true friend and supporter who cared about creating better opportunities for student-athletes and OSU students in general. I will truly miss Al and send sincere condolences to the entire Reser family. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of them.

As you can see, our ticket sales numbers and BASF donations are telling a good story right now. We have some momentum with increased sales and new donors. I’m optimistic that these early trends bode well for Coach Riley, his staff and our players when the fall rolls around. Right now, I’m looking forward to this weekend’s Spring Game. Hope to see you there.